Alarm device

ABSTRACT

A personal security device that is readily carried by hand and that includes an alarm activating unit that can be preset and restrained by a finger so that when released the activating unit automatically separates from the alarm device setting off a signal generator to produce continuous alarm signals.

United States Patent [191 King et al.

ALARM DEVICE Inventors: Barry B. King, 28 Gannett Rd.,

Victor, NY. 14564; Ralph E. King, 68 F. Clintwood Court, Rochester, N.Y.14620 Filed: June 14, 1973 Appl. No.: 369,871

US. Cl. 340/280, 340/321, 340/384 E Int. Cl. G08b 15/00 Field of Search340/280, 321, 384 E References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1942 Sage340/321 [111 3,832,705 Aug. 27, 1974 2,893,344 7/1959 Meyers 340/3212,927,311 3/1960 Donaldson..... 340/280 3,631,271 12/1971 Shimada340/280 3,701,140 10/1972 Dixon v. 340/280 Primary Examiner-Thomas B.Habecker ABSTRACT 18 Clains, 22 Drawing Figures 1 I1 III/Ml l/ \l/ Ill/lI] IIIIIIIIIIIYI! JI/IIIIIIII\III PAramwmcz m 3.832.105

sum s of 5 '1 ALARM DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION that can bereadily set off to generate alarm signals in I the event of an attack.

Muggings, a type of robbery wherein a victim is physically assaulted orrestrained while being robbed, have been increasing in occurrence overthe years and may now account to well over one half the robberies in theUnited States. The victims are those that are burdened with packagesthat impede their defense, individuals traveling alone, particularly atnight, and the elderly who are too feeble to defend themselves. Themuggings occur outdoors in the streets and also indoors in commonwalkways, or hallways. The chances of being mugged are substantiallyincreased in, or near, high crime areas, such as, older city residentialareas, slums, and poorly lighted streets.

Often an attack on a victim is made by two muggers, one who surprisesthe victim from behind by locking an arm chokingly around the victimsneck, while the otherempties the victims pockets. The attack oftenoccurs as a surprise even though the victim may be guarding against sucha possibility. In most cases, the victim can do little, if anything, tofend off the attack. It would be highly desirable if some sort of simpleand inexpensive device could be provided for persons that aresucceptable to muggings that can be set off in the event of an attemptedattack and thereby act as a deterent to such muggings. The alarm deviceshould be inexpensive, small, light weight, and portable, so that it canbe readily carried in the palm of the hand or fit within a purse.Furthermore, the alarm device must be capable of being set off even inthe event of a complete surprise attack.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a new andimproved alarm device that is relatively inexpensive, small, lightweight and readily portable by hand.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a new and improvedalarm device that is capable of being set off even in the event of acomplete surprise attack and in cases therein the victim is virtuallyincapacitated.

It is also an object to this invention to provide a new and improvedalarm device that is capable of being immediately set off in the eventof an attack to provide a continuous alarm signal which can not bestopped without destroying the alarm device.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a new and improvedalarm device that can be preset so that the mere release thereof willset off the unit.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a new and improvedalarm device that is physically small so that it can be carried wihtinthe palm of the hand, that will be set off by merely releasing the alarmdevice, and that has a shape that allows the alarm device to roll awayfrom the victim and out of the reach of the attacker in the event thealarm is dropped.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is a side view of a firstembodiment of the alarm device of the invention including a sphericalhousing.

FIG. 2 is atop viewof FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the alarm device of FIG. 1 carried withinthe palm of a hand and restrained from activation by a finger.

FIG. 4 is an exploded side view of the alarm device of FIG. 1 with thetwo hemispheres forming the spherical housing separated.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the alarm device of FIG. I with the twohemispheres forming the spherical housing separated and rotated to showan inside view of the alarm device.

FIG. 6 is a cut away view of one of the hemispheres showing the alarmdevice release mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a pushbutton assembly forming a part of thealarm device release mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the alarm device of FIG. 1 with the pushbuttonremoved.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the electrical alarm signal generatingmeans included in the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is an electrical schematic diagram of a dual oscillator circuitfor use in the alarm signal generator of FIG. 9 for generating amodulated alarm signal.

FIG. 11 is a side view of second embodiment of the alarm device of theinvention including a cylindrical housing.

FIG. 12 is a cut away side view of the alarm device of FIG. 11disclosing the alarm device release mechanism and the pneumatic alarmsignal generating means.

FIG. 13 is a partial side view of the alarm device of FIG. 11 with thepushbutton removed.

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of a portion of the alarm release mechanismof FIG. 11.

FIG. 15 is a cut away view of the alarm device of FIG. 11 taken alonglines AA.

FIG. 16 is a cut away view of the alarm device of FIG. 1] taken alonglines B-B.

FIG. 17 is an end view of the alarm device of FIG. ll.

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of the pneumatic signal generating meansincluding a reservoir and an acoustical transducer.

F 1G. 19 is a bottom view of the acoustical transducer of FIG. 18. I

FIG. 20 is a side view of the acoustical transducer of FIG. 18 with aplug and a diaphram removed.

FIG. 21 is a cut away view of the acoustical transducer of FIG. 18 alonglines CC with the plug removed.

FIG. 22 is a plane view of a purse including the alarm device of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A personal security alarm device thatcan be enclosed within a housing of a size for conveniently carryingwithin a hand, or can be included within a hand carried purse, or likeitem. The alarm device includes an alarm signal generating means that isset off by an restrained from activation while in the release positionby pressure from a finger. In the event of an attack, the finger isreleased or the alarm unit is merely dropped and the actuating unitautomatically separates from the alarm device setting off the alarm. Inthe event that no attacks occur, the actuating unit is returned to thelocked condition. Hence, as can be seen, the alarm device of theinvention can be preset, and in the event of the attack, even a completesurprise attack, the preset alarm can be set off by the mere movement ofa finger or by dropping the device, which can be a result of automaticreflex or involuntary action.

If the alarm device is to be carried in the palm of the hand, thehousing of the alarm device can have at lease one dimension having agenerally circular configuration, such as for example a spherical orsylindrical shape, so that when the alarm device is dropped, or thrown,it can roll away from the person being attacked putting the alarm deviceaway from the convenient reach of the attacker. The attacker is thereforfaced with ignoring the alarm, or releasing the victim to silence thealarm. In any event, an alarm signal will be generated even if thevictim can not cry out for help.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the alarm signal generatingmeans comprises an oscillator circuit, a battery and a speaker. Thealarm actuation means includes a switch including a first position fordisabling the alarm signal generating means and resilient means forswitching the switch to a second position for operating the signalgenerating means. The actuating unit, when in the lock position,maintains the switch in the first position and when in the releaseposition enables the switch under the force of the resilient meanstoswitch to the second position.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the signal generating meanscomprises a reservoir of pressurized gas having a valve for the releaseof pressurized gas therefrom, and a transducer that is responsive topressurized gas flow therethrough to produce an alarm signal. The alarmactuation means, under the control of the actuation unit, operates thevalve so that the transducer produces the alarm signal. The valve can beof the type that engages the transducer and is responsive to a forcetherefrom to open the valve. In such an arrangement the alarm actuationmeans, .when actuated by the actuating unit, forces the transduceragainst the valve to actuate the alarm signal generating means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with a firstembodiment of theinvention illustrated in FIGS. 1-10, the personalsecurity or alarm device includes a spherical hollow shaped housing 10.The housing is of a size that can conveniently be carried within thepalm of a hand (as illustrated in FIG. 3), having a diameter in theorder of three inches.

form the sphere by any convenient means such as for example a ring 18(FIGS. 4 and 5) that fits within the hemispheres l4 and 16 that issecured thereto by a plurality of fastening devices such as the screws20. Extending from within the hemisphere 14 is an activation unit orpushbutton 22 that forms a portion of the alarm release mechanism.

As illustrated by the exploded views of FIG. 4 and 5, the firstembodiment of the alarm device includes an electrical sound generatingmeans having a battery 24 and a normally closed spring actuated switch26 within the hemisphere 14, and an oscillator and a speaker combination30 within the hemisphere 16. The battery and the oscillator and thespeaker can be conveniently mounted within the hemispheres 14 and 16,respectively, by putty or cement or a bracket (not shown). Preferably,the battery and oscillator-speaker combination 30 should be mounted in afoam rubber type of material to absorb shock. The switch 26 is mountedin place by a bracket 28 secured to the hemisphere 14. Theoscillator-speaker combination 30 is connected to the switch 26 and thebattery 24 via the wires 32 and 34 in a manner as illustrated by theschematic diagram of FIG. 9. The oscillator 50 and speaker 52 can be acommercially available unit for producing a single frequency alarmsignal, or can have the double oscillator configuration of FIG. 10 toproduce a modulated alarm signal.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the alarm activation unit or pushbutton22 includes a circular cap 36 and a elongated rod 38 extending therefromand that has a substantially smaller diagram than the cap 36. A pin 40extends through and beyond the rod 38 near the end opposite the cap 36.Resilient means, such a coil spring 42, is attached to one end of therdd 38. The pushbutton '22 is positioned in the hemisphere 14 byinserting the spring 42 and the rod 38 through an opening 44 with theends of the pin 40 aligned with the keyways 46. After the pushbutton 22is so inserted, it is rotated approximately ninety degrees so that theends of the pin 40 engage the inner surface of the hemisphere 14 andprevent the pushbutton 22 from releasing, defining a first or lockedposition of the pushbutton. If desired, a groove can be formed withinthe hemisphere 14 to further capture the ends of the pin 40. When thepushbutton 22 is inserted into the hemisphere 14 as illustrated in FIG.6, the spring 42 engages the plunger 48 of the switch 26 to operate theswitch 26 and disconnect the oscillator 50 from the battery 24.

As long as the pushbutton 22 is in the off or locked condition (the pin40 is not aligned with the keyways 46), the switch 26 remains open andthe alarm device is deactivated. Prior to entering a potentiallydangerous area, or to going out at night, the user will rotate thepushbutton 22 so that the pin 40 is aligned with the keyway 46 with afinger as illustrated in FIG. 3 while simultaneously maintaining thepushbutton 22 depressed (defined as a second or release position of thepushbutton). In this release position the pushbutton 22 is preset foractuating the alarm device. The alarm device is now carried in the palmof the hand with one finger continuously depressing the pushbutton 22.Should the person be attacked, he need merely release the pushbutton 22by dropping the alarm device. The pushbutton 22 under the force of thespring 42 will automatically spring out of the housing 10 allowing theswitch 26 to close to set ofi the alarm device. The attacker is nowfaced with the decision to continue the attack, or to silence the alarmdevice. The spring 42 should be of sufficient strength to propel thepushbutton 22 (when released) a sufficient distance so that it can notbe conveniently picked up and used to shut off the alarm device.Although the pushbutton 22 is illustrated as being coupled with theswitch 26 via the spring 42, it should be understood that if the springmechanism within the switch 26 is sufficiently strong, the switch springcan be used to propel the pushbutton 22 and the spring 42 eliminated.Further, the spherical shape of the housing allows the alarm to rollaway when so thrown by the carrier thereby putting the alarm device outof the easy reach of the attacker. The alarm device, when released,immediately produces a continuous distress alarm signal. Others in thevicinity can respond to the alarm signals by quickly summoning thepolice. Furthermore, the alarm signal may be a sufficient distraction tothe attacker to allow the victim to defend himself, escape, or evencause an abandonment of the attack.

It is desireable that the alarm device generates a distinct sound thatcan be associated with a distress condition. Such a distress signal canbe generated by the use of a dual oscillator circuit such as thatillustrated in FIG. 10. The first oscillator circuit includes thetransistors 54 and 56, an acoustical transducer 58, resistors 60, 62,and 64, and a capacitor 66. The first oscillator circuit also shares aresistor 68 and a capacitor 70 with the second oscillator circuit, whichincludes the transistors 72 and 74, resistors 76, 78, 80 and 81 and acapacitor 82. The resistive and the capacitive components in the firstand second oscillator circuits are selected so that the first oscillatorcircuit generates a high frequency audio carrier signal and the secondoscillator circuit generates a lower frequency switching signal. Thesecond signal modulates the first signal because the two oscillatorcircuits share the common emitter resistor 68. The capacitor 70 providesa low impedance path for the first (higher frequency) signal. Thetransistor 56 drives the acoustical transducer 58, which can be, forexample, a small loudspeaker of the type used in small portabletransistor radios. A loud modulated sound is generated by the oscillatorcircuits that has a characteristic intermittent nature designed toattract attention.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention illustrated inFIGS. 11-21, the alarm signal generating means includes an aerosolcontainer 70 and a pneumatic acoustical transducer 72. The container 70and the transducer 72 are commercially available devices. The container70 includes a valve 74 that extends out from the container that whendepressed, releases pressurized gas from the container through the valve74. The transducer 72 fits over the end of the container 70 so that thevalve 74 fits into a groove 80 (FIGS. 19-21). When the transducer 72 andcontainer 70 are forced together, the top end of the groove 80 engagesthe valve 74 and depresses the valve thereby causing high velocity gasfrom the container 70 to flow into the two ring cavities 82 and 84 inthe transducer. The cavities 82 and 84 are covered by a thin sheet ofmetal, or diaphram 86, which is held in place by a plug 7 The containerand the transducer 72 are illustrated in FIGS. ll-l7 as contained withina cylindrical housing 92. As in the case of the spherical housing ofFIGS. l-10, the size of the cylindrical housing 92 is such that it canbe conveniently carried within the palm of the hand, such as for examplebeing approximately 2 inches in diameter. The housing 92 should also beof sufficient strength to resist destruction by stomping by foot. Thehousing 92 includes a plurality of openings 94 throughout itscircumference, or if greater strength is desired, only in the locationof the transducer 72. The housing 92 can be conveniently sealed afterassembly at opposite ends by the end plates 96 and 98 fastened to thehousing 92 by the screws 100.

An alarm activation unit, such as a pushbutton 102, extends out from thehousing and forms a part of the alarm release mechanism. The pushbutton102 includes a circular cap 104 and a first elongated rod 106 extendingtherefrom having a substantially smaller diameter than the cap 104. Asecond elongated rod 108 having a substantially smaller diameter thanthe first rod 106 extends from the first rod and includes a detentfinger 110 at the end thereof. A pin 112 extends through the first rod106 near the end opposite the cap 104. Resilient means, such as a coilspring 114, fits over the detent finger 110 and the second rod 108 andengages the end of the first rod 106. The pushbutton 102 and the spring114 are inserted into the housing 92 through an opening 116 (FIG. 13)with the ends of the pin 112 aligned with the keyway 118. The spring 114is compressed between the end of the rod 113 and a plunger rod 122.After the pushbutton 102 is so inserted, it is rotated to a lockposition wherein the ends of the pin 112 engage the inner surface of thehousing 92 and prevents the pushbutton 102 from being released under theforce of the spring 114.

When the pushbutton 102 is inserted into the housing 92, the detentfinger engages a cavity 120 in the rod 122 of the plunger 122. Theplunger rod 122 is mounted to fit loosely in a hole 126 extendingthrough a circular wall 128. The wall is secured to the innercylindrical surface of the housing 92, generally normal to thecylindrical axis and adjacent the hole 116. A portion of the wall 128 iscut away to allow clearance for the pin 112 (as illustrated in FlG. 14)so that the pushbutton 102 can be rotated. A circular piston 130 isattached to the other end of the rod 122 and includes a rim 132 forcapuring the free end of the transducer 72. A coil spring 134 is placedbetween the piston 130 and the wall 128.

When initially assmebling the alarm device of FIGS. 11-21 the spring 134is placed around the rod 122. The end of the rod 122 is inserted throughthe opening 126 in the wall 128 and the spring 134 is depressed. Thepushbutton 102 and spring 114 are inserted through the keyway 116 sothat the detent finger 110 engages the cavity 120 in the rod 122 and thepushbutton 102 is then rotated 90. The detent finger 110 engages thewall 128 and prevents the plunger 124 from moving under the force of thecompressed spring 134. The transducer 72 is placed over the container 70and inserted into the housing 92 so that the end of the transducer 72fits wihtin the rim 132. The housing 92 is now sealed at opposite ends.

As in the case of the first embodiment of FIGS. l-10, the pushbutton 102of the second embodiment of FIGS. 11-21 is preset for actuation byrotating the pushbutton 102 until the pin 112 is aligned with thekeyways 118 (release position), however maintaining the pushbutton 102depressed so that the detent finger 110 continues to engage the cavity120. The alarm device is carried in the palm of the hand with a fingercontinuously depressing the pushbutton 102. Should an attack occur, thepushbutton 102 need merely be released and the detend finger 110 willautomatically spring away from the rod 122 causing the plunger 124,under the resilient force of'the spring 134, to force the transducer 72against the container 70 and set off the alarm device to produce ashrill shreek. The alarm device will continue to provide the alarmsignal until either the container 70 is emptied or the alarm device isdestroyed. As in the case of the spherical alarm device, the cylindricalshaped alarm is also capable of rolling away when released or thrown.

Although the alarm device of the invention has been described in thecontex of a spherical or cylindrical unit that can be carried within thepalm of the hand, the alarm device of the invention can also be used ina variety of other ways, such as for example being built within a purse170 as illustrated in FIG. 22. The transducer of the alarm device can bemounted within the purse adjacent the holes 172. In the case of an alarmdevice including the electrical signal generating means of FIGS. 1-10,two pushbuttons 174 and 176, or a single pushbutton can be used. Onepushbutton 176 is located in the purse handle 178, and the otherpushbutton 174 is located in the body of the purse 170. In the case ofthe alarm device including the pneumatic signal generating means, asingle pushbutton 174 is used. The pushbutton 174 and 176 can be presetto the release position as previously described above and held in placeby a finger as the purse 170 is carried. In the event of a purse snatch,the preset pushbutton will be released and the alarm will automaticallygo off. The robber, as a result, will run off with a screaming purse,which will force the robber to immediately stop and empty the purse,empty the purse in flight, or simply get rid of the purse. In any event,the noise of the alarm will produce an embarrassing situation for thepurse snatcher, perhaps to the point of foiling the robbery attempt.Quite often a purse snatcher will cut through the purse strap in anattempt to snatch a purse. In such a case two sets of wires can beprovided from the switch 176 (a complete circuit through each half ofthe strap) so that shen one half of the strap is cut, the alarm circuitcan be completed through the other half of the strap.

Hence, in accordance to the invention, when a person leaves work atnight or enters a dangerous area, the person need merely preset thepushbutton in the alarm device to the release position. The alarm deviceis set off by merely releasing the pushbutton. If the person reached asafe location, the pushbutton is returned to the deactivated of lockposition and the alarm device can be stored until needed at a laterdate. In the event of an attack, the alarm device is easily set off. Thealarm device will continue to produce distress signals until destroyed,or the aerosol container emptied, or the battery discharged. In anyevent, the distress signals will distract the attacker even to the pointof attempting to destroy the device. The distraction may allow thevictim the opportunity to escape or to protect himself. The attacker isforced with the decision to continue the mugging during the distresssignals or to abandon the attack. The distress signals will attractattention of others so that help can be much more quickly summoned, andeven perhaps resulting in the capture of the mugger. In the case of thepurse snatcher, the alarm signal will draw attention to the robber as heattempts to flee with the purse. Rather than facing the possibility ofcapture, the purse snatcher may abandon the robbery. In any event, thealarm device of the invention provides an arrangement for summoning helpeven in the case of a complete surprise attack.

What is claimed is: 1. An alarm device comprising: a housing; alarmsignal generating means mounted within the said housing, and alarmactuation means contained within the said housing coupled to said signalgenerating means to control the operation thereof, said alarm actuationmeans includes a detachable actuating unit extending from said housingfor the manual operation thereof and includes means for receiving saidactuating unit providing a lock position for capturing said actuationunit and preventing the operation of said signal generating means andproviding a release position wherein said actuating unit, ifunrestricted by manual force, is adapted to spring away to separate fromsaid housing causing said actuation means to operate the signalgenerating means.

2. An alarm device in claim 1 wherein:

at least one dimension of said housing is of a generally circularconfiguration so the housing can be rolled, said housing is formed witha plurality apertures extending through the housing for the transmissionof the alarm signal, and the size of the housing being such that it canbe carried within the palm of the hand.

3. An alarm device as defined in claim 2 wherein:

said housing has a generally spherical shape.

4. An alarm device as defined in claim 2 wherein:

said housing has a generally cylindrical shape.

5.'An alarm device as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said signal generating means includes a oscillator circuit, a speakerand a battery, and

said alarm actuation means includes a spring operated switch coupled foroperation by said actuating unit, when released, for enabling saidsignal generating means.

6. An alarm device as defined in claim 5 wherein:

said receiving means includes a portion of the housing formed with anaperture including a keyway, and

at least a portion of the actuating unit has the general shape of thekeyway so that the actuating unit can be inserted through the keywayinto the release positionand then roated beyond the keyway to the lockposition.

' 7. An alarm device as defined in claim 6 including:

resilient means in said alarm actuation means for resiliently urgingsaid actuating unit out from said housing.

8. An alarm device as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said signal generating means includes a reservoir of compressed gas, avalve for releasing pressurized gas from the reservoir, and a transducerpositioned to receive gas flow from said valve and is responsive to theflow of gas therethrough to produce an alarm signal, and

said alarm actuation means operates the valve to release pressurized gasfiow through the transducer.

9. An alarm device as defined in claim 8 wherein:

said valve is opened by depressing the valve into the reservoir;

said transducer positioned adjacent said valve, and

said alarm actuation means, when operated, forces the transducer againstthe valve so that the valve is opened to produce pressurized gas flowthrough said transducer.

10. An alarm device as defined in claim 9 wherein:

said alarm actuation means includes resilient means for forcing thetransducer against the valve; and

said actuating unit, when released, causes said resilient means to forcethe transducer against the valve.

11. An alarm device as defined in claim 10 wherein:

said receiving means includes a portion of the housing formed with anaperature including a keyway, and

at least a portion of the actuating unit has the general shape of thekeyway so that the actuating unit can be inserted through the keywayinto the release position and then rotated beyond the keyway to the lockposition.

12. An alarm device comprising:

a hollow housing having at least one dimension having a generallycircular shape so that the housing can be rolled, the housing beingformed with a plurality of aperatures and the size of the housing beingsuch that it can be conveniently carried within a hand;

signal generating means mounted within said housing including anoscillator, a speaker and a battery;

a switch connected to said signal generating means having a firstposition for inhibiting the signal generating means from operating andresilient means for switching the switch to a second position forcausing the signal generating means to produce an alarm signal, and

switch actuation means, including a detachable actuating unit extendingthrough an aperature formed in the housing for the manual operation ofthe switch actuation means andengaging said switch overcoming saidresilient means to switch said switch to the first position, andincluding means for providing a lock position for said actuating unitfor preventing the operation of the signal generating means and arelease position wherein the actuating unit, if unrestricted by manualforce, springs away to separate from said housing thereby causing saidactuation means to continuously operate said signal generating means.

13. An alarm device as defined in claim 12 wherein:

said aperature receiving te actuating unit includes a keyway, and

a portion of the actuating unit has the general shape of the keyway sothat when the actuating unit is inserted into the keyway and is alignedwith the keyway the actuating unit is in the release position and whenthe actuating unit is thereafter rotated beyond the keyway, theactuating unit is in the lock position.

14. An alarm device as defined in claim 13 including:

additional resilient means coupled to said actuating unit so that whenthe actuating unit is inserted into the aperature including the keyway,the addition resilient means provides a force for urging said actuatingunit out from said housing.

15. An alarm device comprising:

a hollow housing having at least one dimension having a generallycircular shape so that the housing can be rolled, the housing beingformed with a plurality of aperatures, and the size of the housing beingsuch that it can be conveniently carried within a hand;

signal generating means mounted within said housing including areservoir or pressurized gas, a valve for releasing gas from thereservoir, and a transducer responsive to gas flow from said valve andthrough the transducer to produce an alarm signal, and

alarm actuating means contained within the housing for controlling theoperation of said valve, including a detachable actuating unit extendingfrom said housing for manual operation of the alarm ectuation means,resilient means, and receiving means for providing a lock position forsaid actuating unit for preventing the operation of said signalgenerating means and providing a release position wherein the actuatingunit, if unrestricted by manual force, springs away under the force ofsaid resilient means to separate from said housing causing saidactuation means to continuously operate the signal generating means.

16. An alarm device as defined in claim 15 wherein:

said valve is opened by depressing the valve into the reservoir;

said transducer positioned adjacent said valve, and

said alarm actuation means, when operated, forces the transducer againstthe valve so that the valve is opened to force pressurized gas throughthe transducer.

17. An alarm device as defined in claim 16 wherein:

said alarm actuation means includes additional resilient means forforcing the transducer against the valve when the alarm actuation meansis operated.

18. An alarm device as defined in claim 17 wherein:

said receiving means includes a portion of the housing formed with anaperature including a keyway, and

at least a portion of the actuating unit has the general shape of thekeyway so that when the actuating unit is inserted through the keywayand aligned with the keyway the actuating unit is in the releaseposition and when the actuating unit is thereafter rotated beyond thekeyway the actuating unit is in the lock position.

1. An alarm device comprising: a housing; alarm signal generating meansmounted within the said housing, and alarm actuation means containedwithin the said housing coupled to said signal generating means tocontrol the operation thereof, said alarm actuation means includes adetachable actuating unit extending from said housing for the manualoperation thereof and includes means for receiving said actuating unitproviding a lock position for capturing said actuation unit andpreventing the operation of said signal generating means and providing arelease position wherein said actuating unit, if unrestricted by manualforce, is adapted to spring away to separate from said housing causingsaid actuation means to operate the signal generating means.
 2. An alarmdevice in claim 1 wherein: at least one dimension of said housing is ofa generally circular configuration so the housing can be rolled, saidhousing is formed with a plurality apertures extending through thehousing for the transmission of the alarm signal, and the size of thehousing being such that it can be carried within the palm of the hand.3. An alarm device as defined in claim 2 wherein: said housing has agenerally spherical shape.
 4. An alarm device as defined in claim 2wherein: said housing has a generally cylindrical shape.
 5. An alarmdevice as defined in claim 1 wherein: said signal generating meansincludes a oscillator circuit, a speaker and a battery, and said alarmactuation means includes a spring operated switch coupled for operationby said actuating unit, when released, for enabling said signalgenerating means.
 6. An alarm device as defined in claim 5 wherein: saidreceiving means includes a portion of the housing formed with anaperture including a keyway, and at least a portion of the actuatingunit has the general shape of the keyway so that the actuating unit canbe inserted through the keyway into the release position and then roatedbeyond the keyway to the lock position.
 7. An alarm device as defined inclaim 6 including: resilient means in said alarm actuation means forresiliently urging said actuating unit out from said housing.
 8. Analarm device as defined in claim 1 wherein: said signal generating meansincludes a reservoir of compressed gas, a valve for releasingpressurized gas from the reservoir, and a transducer positioned toreceive gas flow from said valve and is responsive to the flow of gastherethrough to produce an alarm signal, and said alarm actuation meansoperates the valve to release pressurized gas flow through thetrAnsducer.
 9. An alarm device as defined in claim 8 wherein: said valveis opened by depressing the valve into the reservoir; said transducerpositioned adjacent said valve, and said alarm actuation means, whenoperated, forces the transducer against the valve so that the valve isopened to produce pressurized gas flow through said transducer.
 10. Analarm device as defined in claim 9 wherein: said alarm actuation meansincludes resilient means for forcing the transducer against the valve;and said actuating unit, when released, causes said resilient means toforce the transducer against the valve.
 11. An alarm device as definedin claim 10 wherein: said receiving means includes a portion of thehousing formed with an aperature including a keyway, and at least aportion of the actuating unit has the general shape of the keyway sothat the actuating unit can be inserted through the keyway into therelease position and then rotated beyond the keyway to the lockposition.
 12. An alarm device comprising: a hollow housing having atleast one dimension having a generally circular shape so that thehousing can be rolled, the housing being formed with a plurality ofaperatures and the size of the housing being such that it can beconveniently carried within a hand; signal generating means mountedwithin said housing including an oscillator, a speaker and a battery; aswitch connected to said signal generating means having a first positionfor inhibiting the signal generating means from operating and resilientmeans for switching the switch to a second position for causing thesignal generating means to produce an alarm signal, and switch actuationmeans, including a detachable actuating unit extending through anaperature formed in the housing for the manual operation of the switchactuation means and engaging said switch overcoming said resilient meansto switch said switch to the first position, and including means forproviding a lock position for said actuating unit for preventing theoperation of the signal generating means and a release position whereinthe actuating unit, if unrestricted by manual force, springs away toseparate from said housing thereby causing said actuation means tocontinuously operate said signal generating means.
 13. An alarm deviceas defined in claim 12 wherein: said aperature receiving te actuatingunit includes a keyway, and a portion of the actuating unit has thegeneral shape of the keyway so that when the actuating unit is insertedinto the keyway and is aligned with the keyway the actuating unit is inthe release position and when the actuating unit is thereafter rotatedbeyond the keyway, the actuating unit is in the lock position.
 14. Analarm device as defined in claim 13 including: additional resilientmeans coupled to said actuating unit so that when the actuating unit isinserted into the aperature including the keyway, the addition resilientmeans provides a force for urging said actuating unit out from saidhousing.
 15. An alarm device comprising: a hollow housing having atleast one dimension having a generally circular shape so that thehousing can be rolled, the housing being formed with a plurality ofaperatures, and the size of the housing being such that it can beconveniently carried within a hand; signal generating means mountedwithin said housing including a reservoir or pressurized gas, a valvefor releasing gas from the reservoir, and a transducer responsive to gasflow from said valve and through the transducer to produce an alarmsignal, and alarm actuating means contained within the housing forcontrolling the operation of said valve, including a detachableactuating unit extending from said housing for manual operation of thealarm ectuation means, resilient means, and receiving means forproviding a lock position for said actuating unit for preventing theoperation of said signal generating means and providing a releaSeposition wherein the actuating unit, if unrestricted by manual force,springs away under the force of said resilient means to separate fromsaid housing causing said actuation means to continuously operate thesignal generating means.
 16. An alarm device as defined in claim 15wherein: said valve is opened by depressing the valve into thereservoir; said transducer positioned adjacent said valve, and saidalarm actuation means, when operated, forces the transducer against thevalve so that the valve is opened to force pressurized gas through thetransducer.
 17. An alarm device as defined in claim 16 wherein: saidalarm actuation means includes additional resilient means for forcingthe transducer against the valve when the alarm actuation means isoperated.
 18. An alarm device as defined in claim 17 wherein: saidreceiving means includes a portion of the housing formed with anaperature including a keyway, and at least a portion of the actuatingunit has the general shape of the keyway so that when the actuating unitis inserted through the keyway and aligned with the keyway the actuatingunit is in the release position and when the actuating unit isthereafter rotated beyond the keyway the actuating unit is in the lockposition.